Exploring Mind Wandering: A Serial Mediation Study Using Anxiety and Personality Traits

Authors

  • Agulya Devi S. Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641046, India.
  • D. Ravi DRDO-Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR), Timarpur, Delhi, 110054, India.
  • Shatarupa Chakraborty Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, ITO, Near Rajghat, New Delhi, 110002 India.
  • Dolly Bansal DRDO-Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR), Timarpur, Delhi, 110054, India.
  • Sneha Bharaty Asutosh College, Kolkata University, West Bengal, 700026 India.
  • Devika Mohan DRDO-Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR), Timarpur, Delhi, 110054, India.
  • Selvapriya M DRDO-Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR), Timarpur, Delhi, 110054, India.
  • Maria Madiha DRDO-Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR), Timarpur, Delhi, 110054, India.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25215/1204.009

Keywords:

Mind Wandering, Anxiety, Personality, Factor Analysis, Mediation Analysis

Abstract

Mind Wandering refers to task-unrelated thoughts, task images and stimulus independent thoughts and is found to be usually associated with distraction and experience of stress. The current study focuses on examining the factor structure pertaining to mind wandering and its relationship with anxiety and personality traits using a sample of 180 individuals (M=53, F= 127). Through serial mediation analysis, a significant direct relationship between neuroticism, conscientiousness and agreeableness and mind wandering was observed. Furthermore, a significant total indirect effect of state and trait anxiety on the relationship between neuroticism, agreeableness and conscientiousness with mind wandering was also obtained thereby, indicating towards a partial mediation of trait anxiety and state anxiety in the relationship between the personality traits of neuroticism, conscientiousness and agreeableness with mind wandering. This study is an attempt to understand the interplay of personality and mind wandering and the influence of anxiety upon this relationship, thereby contribute towards potential therapeutic practices.

Metrics

No metrics found.

Published

2024-12-31

How to Cite

Agulya Devi S., D. Ravi, Shatarupa Chakraborty, Dolly Bansal, Sneha Bharaty, Devika Mohan, Selvapriya M, & Maria Madiha. (2024). Exploring Mind Wandering: A Serial Mediation Study Using Anxiety and Personality Traits. International Journal of Indian Psychȯlogy, 12(4). https://doi.org/10.25215/1204.009

Similar Articles

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.